What is the Telangana Phone Tapping case?
The Telangana phone tapping case first came to light in March 2024, when the Hyderabad police arrested a former Deputy Commissioner of Police DSP, Praneeth Rao, in connection with the issue.
The investigation revealed that the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) had been involved in clandestinely monitoring individuals, had unauthorized access to official records, and misused intelligence information.
The fallout
Political furor aside, the Telangana phone-tapping case raised serious concerns about the misuse of power and the violation of privacy rights. The case highlighted the need for stronger oversight and accountability in law enforcement agencies’ use of surveillance technology.
Who are the alleged Key Players
Praneeth Rao: A former DSP in the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) of the Telangana police, Praneeth Rao was accused of illegal surveillance and destroying evidence by burning hard drives containing data on phone tapping. He was charged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention Of Damage To Public Property (PDPP) Act.
Radhakrishna Rao: A former DCP of the Commissioner’s Task Force in Hyderabad, Radhakrishna Rao, was arrested in connection with the case. He allegedly facilitated the movement of cash and gold during the 2023 election season and played a role in developing profiles of private persons and destroying evidence.
Prabhakar Rao: Prabhakar Rao, the former Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief, allegedly supervised the entire phone-tapping operation. Although he was out of the country for medical treatment at the time of the investigation, he maintained contact with the investigating officer.
Also, two ASPs, Bhujanga Rao and Thirupathanna, were arrested and are currently in remand.
What next?
The Telangana phone tapping case remains an ongoing investigation, with more details likely to emerge as the probe continues.